Week 9 Run 3 complete xx: So at 5pm I took my... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,414 members158,564 posts

Week 9 Run 3 complete xx

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate
60 Replies

So at 5pm I took my last run of the programme. It took a while to get ready, running bra, knee support, compression calf socks, running socks then leggings, trainers and blue top and purple jacket and some lipstick. Ipod charged and cup of chai tea and spoonful of honey.

I had a nice walk in for 5 minutes and noticed how I feel more like a runner now because of how I dress and what I do. Top TIP for newbies; buy the sexiest most beautiful clothes to run in that say I RUN, I'M ATHLETIC, I DO THIS as it will help confidence. So after the first 5 minutes I started off very slow and ploddy. Again a really slow first 15 with no music listening to the birds and my breathing and looking at the scenery then I hit my stride more with the help of Basement Jax, the Pixies and Barratt Strong for the final leg stopping at 32 minutes.

All the while I was running it was great thinking of the people on this forum who have helped me, when the going was slow and tough I have the words of Old floss in my mind to be slow and steady. Before I go out, I put on red or bright pink lipstick thanks to Jan can run. When my ego gets ahead of me and I think of speed and other runners I think of IannodaTruffe telling me not to compare and enjoy my journey, so much so I have no idea how far I run at all! I always remember ebcroquet when I double knot my laces (great advice) and Go Go Jo Jo for her enthusiasm and advice of great trail shoes. I also think of how alikayV is doing this week and did she enjoy her run? I guess my point is that apart from running this programme has giving me great connections out there with people who are doing this too, and who at some point have all felt like me on every run.

Someone asked me last year did I have a spiritual practice in life; I'm stupidly busy with tiny children, get little sleep, breastfeed and have so little time for me that life is a whirl at the moment and passes so quickly. I guess that running has given me that. its enabled me to be in the moment and forget all my worries and whirling mind and has given me a sense of serenity. My body is recovering from childbirth in my 40s and a broken back and resulting issues in my 30s and yet every week my body has been able to do the next run and grow stronger and stronger. On great days it has given me the love of running a bit too fast to the music that I love and a feeling a complete sense of freedom.

So thank you all x a small rest then next run I may find out how far I actually can run in 30 mins! XXX

Written by
Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
60 Replies
lagatachocolate profile image
lagatachocolateGraduate

Congratulations, Michele; what a fabulous message, and a great achievement! 🎓🎉👍🏽😊

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to lagatachocolate

Thank you so much X its all a bit unbelievable xx

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

Woohoo! Very well done Michele, and thank you for such a lovely inspiring post. 😄

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Elfe5

thank you! onwards and upwards x

Mattitude profile image
MattitudeGraduate

Well done Michele you're amazing.

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Mattitude

Hello Matt, thank you! how are you going? X

Mattitude profile image
MattitudeGraduate in reply to Michele2017

Good thanks. I had a few setbacks like a calf injury and flu but finished the nine weeks about three weeks ago. It felt fantastic to graduate. Along with a healthier diet and regular exercise I’ve now lost three and a half stone since Christmas. I’ve lost 8 inches off of my waist and have had to buy a whole new walldrobe.

On Saturday I ran 10km for fun. What an amazing app. It has completely changed my life.

Well done you. You have done so well. You should be super proud.

All the best with your future running

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Mattitude

OMG you are incredible!! wheres your graduation badge? I cannot believe you have lost 8 inches... do you have before and after pics to admire I hope so. How was the 10Km? X

Mattitude profile image
MattitudeGraduate in reply to Michele2017

I don’t know why I don’t have a graduation badge? Am I supposed to have clicked something?

10 km was another challenge again. It’s hard but not that different from 5 km really I just followed the same principles of just keep going. Slow and steady.

Feeling like a runner is so important I too got myself new shoes and clothes. I’ll pass on the lip stick but looking good does make you feel more confident.

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Mattitude

Yes you put up a post and they give you your badge. Well done on the new you. Keep posting. Your an inspiration X

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Michele2017

Actually Matt there is a link to ask for it

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Mattitude profile image
MattitudeGraduate in reply to Michele2017

Thank you and well done again

Latexfree profile image
Latexfree in reply to Mattitude

Hi Matt, that's a brilliant result!! I have just started running to get fit and lose weight. I find it hard! And progress is very slow!! Your post, and othets on this site have really helped to motivate me. To all of you proud of your amazing acheivements. Be very proud!

Bells411 profile image
Bells411

Wow what a wonderful post! And all this whilst still breastfeeding! I also had a child in my 40’s, but waited 11 years to start running; I admire you for doing it now, and can hear the joy in your post, the freedom that running gives you. I can’t wait to graduate ( about 3 weeks left)

Onwards and upwards

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Bells411

Hoorah bells well done. I think it gets easier at the end so do enjoy. Yes although I had a great 2nd birth at home, my body has never run in its life so I am amazed I have enjoyed it so much! Keep going it wont be long! X

Keels_x profile image
Keels_xGraduate

What an inspiration you are to someone like me who’s just started week 5!! A great post to read..... I may give the lipstick a try!

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Keels_x

Thankyou! Week 5 is lovely, don't worry about the 20 minutes it actually gets easier than stop starting and yes do put on lipstick. It goes well with my beetroot face! XX

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

What a great post Michele 😊Congratulations on completing the program and Graduating 🎉🎉🎉

You can ask for your Graduate badge here...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

There is a link suggesting what to do next too...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your celebrations and Happy running Graduate 😊 x

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Thank you for all your inspiration X

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Very many congratulations on your graduation fellow runner.

Do check out the guide to post C25K running linked to by Bluebirdrunner

Keep running, keep smiling.

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Will do. Am going to take it slow X

Keepcalm-keepsmiling profile image
Keepcalm-keepsmilingGraduate

What a brilliant, inspiring post. Congratulations Michele 🎊🎉👏

HGVDan profile image
HGVDanGraduate

Well done

Running time makes good personal thinking time, drift off with your thoughts the legs will keep going and will automatically sit in a natural pace

Keep going it won’t be long until you post your runs of higher distance

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to HGVDan

Thank you not sure what to do next apart from keep up the 30 mins X

HGVDan profile image
HGVDanGraduate in reply to Michele2017

7-8 km comes next

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

alikayV profile image
alikayVGraduate

Oh wow! Congratulations Michele! What a lovely post!! 🎉🏃‍♀️😘 I haven’t managed to run since graduation last Friday but I danced my socks off on Saturday night at a surprise 50th birthday party my Hubby and sister threw for me and my knees are still recovering! 💃🏻 We have another celebratory weekend ahead this weekend in Devon and I suspect someone will drag me out for a run then!! Massive congratulations again! Keep in running!! Xxxx

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to alikayV

Hurrah well done you. Keep posting and keep in touch. Ohh lovely dancing!! Good on you XX

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Michele2017

Hurrah you have a graduation badge!! XX

LookNannyruns profile image
LookNannyrunsGraduate

Great post Michele , may I too add my thanks to all the people on here that you mentioned. Congratulations,

SuperMouse profile image
SuperMouseGraduate

Brilliant a big well done, very inspiring.

Ha I do agree with the nice kit and lipstick! :)

All the best with your future running! :) :)

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to SuperMouse

Yes it really works x looking good is important x

Lovedayruns profile image
Lovedayruns

Congratulations nd thank you for sharing such a brilliant, inspiring post!

Dale70 profile image
Dale70

What a wonderfully inspirational and humble post. Well done, simply awesome

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

What a great post - well done on completing the programme, and here’s to the start of the next chapter in your running adventure :)

lets-go profile image
lets-goGraduate

Such an inspirational message I am so very pleased for you congratulations!!! It’s messages like yours that keep us all going 😊 Well Done YOU !! x

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to lets-go

Thank you. Keep running XX

AngieW1968 profile image
AngieW1968Graduate

What an inspirational post. Totally agree with the nice kit. I treated myself last weekend after completing week 5 but have yet to go out in it. Here’s to many more glam runs for us both!!!!!!!

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to AngieW1968

Yes, Get out there in it. You are a runner in runners kit How exciting X

WalkingWithLabradors profile image
WalkingWithLabradorsGraduate

WOW! Well done Michele2017. It feels great doesn’t it? 👍🏻

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to WalkingWithLabradors

Yes Im a bot shocked Ive done it on little sleep so I'm looking forward to having more relaxing runs when I have time X

SW16 profile image
SW16Graduate

Congratulations! And what a lovely post! I must try the lipstick tip, and the clothes thing is so important. When my hubby said I looked like a runner, as I was all kitted up and ready to go, I felt 10 feet tall ☺️ and as I can’t see myself actually running, I assume I must look like one then too!!! Enjoy the view from the podium! 👏🏻👏🏻

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to SW16

Yes do put on the lipstick. Even though I am beetroot when I finish it makes a difference. The runners kit is key. Good on you runner! X

Debbie1971 profile image
Debbie1971

Well done that's brilliant xx

BecksC25K profile image
BecksC25K

My first day here and so glad to read about the end result. Totally agree with the "dress like a runner" idea. I love saying I was running cos I feel so amazed I can do it. Thanks michele2017 for your great words

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to BecksC25K

Keep posting as the support here is amazing. Good luck XX

CarolineKC profile image
CarolineKCGraduate

Well done - and a great post - inspiring to all of us!

Nannymo30 profile image
Nannymo30

What an inspirational post!!! Well done, you should be so proud of yourself. It’s posts like this that really make me want to keep going.

alisonx profile image
alisonxGraduate

Congratulations Michele

thanks for sharing this post - it is so inspirational. You have achieved so much more than just running for 30 minutes :-)

Look forward to see your first graduation post run!

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to alisonx

Thank you, yes not sure what I will do! X

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Fantastic Michele, congratulations, that is a great time for your first 5k, I have just completed run 3 of round 2, rest day and tomorrow I will start on run 1 of round 3.

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to AlMorr

No I don't think I am at 5K yet just running for 32 minutes. Keep going XX

Mcdon profile image
McdonGraduate

Congratulations xxx

Latexfree profile image
Latexfree

Fantastic result!! Truly amazing with so much to do already! I've just joined and, reading these posts, already feel motivated to work on this the end. I love your advice about buying beautiful running gear and dressing to feel good. I can imagine that having bought it and knowing you look good is being most of the way there 'cos your going to want to 'strut your stuff' and look fit doing it. I'm off to the shops right now!!

Elizabeth52 profile image
Elizabeth52

Well done Michele2017! You did it, try to find the time to carry on!

LauraPlum profile image
LauraPlumGraduate

Congratulations ! How are you managing it all ?! Amazing achievement .Lovely inspiring post for a newbie to read- just about to head out on R2W2 and wondering about journey to wk 9 ! Have been trying to make sure no one sees me but you are right - confidence and lipstick ! Thank you for taking the time to post 😄

Pippayoungart profile image
PippayoungartGraduate

Great post!

Zippy77 profile image
Zippy77

What a lovely post Michele! Very inspiring to me as I’m only in week 3. Our lives sound very similar, difficult childbirth in my late 30’s, ruptured disc in my back with resulting neurosurgery in my late 20’s, followed by 24/7 pain and now working full time, extended breastfeeding and general family life! I hope I can succeed like you and make many great connections with people in a similar boat along the way. Good luck to you with your running post C25K 😊

Michele2017 profile image
Michele2017Graduate in reply to Zippy77

You will do it, keep in touch and I will give you as much support as I can. I had a great home birth second time around, but if you can crack breastfeeding, C25K is a sinch!! XX

Zippy77 profile image
Zippy77 in reply to Michele2017

Haha I totally agree! No one prepares you for how hard that’s going to be! Will do, thank-you xx

You may also like...

Week 9 Run 3 Complete! ✅

delighted to have completed the programme today. At the end of the 30 minutes, I was still feeling...

Week 9 Run 3 - COMPLETED

the first 5 minutes were comfortable, up to 10 minutes was fine too. Once I hit 15 minutes I...

Completed!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ Week 9 run 3

this morning for me to finally complete the programme. It has taken me longer than the 9 weeks to...

Week 9 run 3 completed!

as I progress - watch this space! All the best to all the runners out there!

Week 9 run 3 completed

Thankyou to all, for your support over the last 10 weeks. 😁🤗 Amazingly I have completed the...